Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards tainted with Phelps and Brown

Ok, so maybe it’s just me. Perhaps I am one of the few people that have a problem with Nickelodeon’s decision making abilities. Rather I should say the apparent lack thereof. Though it could just be a lack of balls.

Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards are the subject of contention. Specifically the issue is with Chris Brown, and Michael Phelps. I believe neither should be in the competition for the categories they were nominated for. In fact I believe both should be publicly and vociferously pulled.

Michael Phelps does not deserve to be recognized, or available as a choice because he smokes marijuana. Pictures and his own admission to the fact are proof enough. It’s an illegal act, and detrimental to the health of children. The picture was taken after he won his gold medals in the Olympics – when it was clear that he had become a media figure and instant role model to children around the world.

Phelps had no problem accepting all that his instant fame provided, except when it came to a bit of self-discipline and an illegal drug. No matter what an individual may feel, as an adult, about illegal drug use I believe we all can agree that minors should be protected from such promotion. Phelps felt no such need, though he was happy to accept money from all sources, including those promoting him to children.

With every action is a consequence. With lack of self-discipline comes negative ramifications. Removing him from the Kid’s Choice Awards is the least that should happen to him.

In much the same reasoning is Chris Brown. While he is still only alleged to have battered and assaulted Rihanna, he has all but admitted his actions to the public. There is no question of his guilt. Which means he is a criminal of the worst sort.

Now I realize that when both men were nominated they had not committed the criminal acts yet. But once they did do so, and then publicly acknowledged their wrong-headed actions (actually let me get it right, criminal is the key word), they forfeited their place in this competition.

Are we saying to the youth of America that to break the law is without consequence? That drugs are in fact ok to use? That the vicious and unwarranted brutality against women is condoned? Because if that is what Nickelodeon believes they should just state that to us all.

If Nickelodeon does not believe those acts to be decent or lawfully then they must remove Chris Brown and Michael Phelps. There really is no other choice. And inaction in this matter makes one thing very clear. Nickelodeon would pimp children in any manner necessary to gain more ratings, and therefore money. Given they are a television networks and seeking a profit. But most would draw a line on profit at the potential expense of children. The longer Nickelodeon fails to act, the more they seem to admit that children are just an expendable means to get the dollars of parents everywhere.

The last thing about this that I want to note is the inclusion of Rihanna in a petition, signed by 4,655 so far, to have Chris Brown removed from the Kid’s Choice Awards. Rihanna is a victim. The fact that she is apparently forgiving the illegal, brutal, cowardly actions of Chris Brown are beyond anyone’s ability to know. Perhaps she is suffering from Battered Women’s Syndrome, Perhaps she is planning for the opportunity to get him to relax and sleep in her presence so she can smack him around with a frying pan. A really heavy one I would hope (as I would hope that is her reasoning).

But whatever the reason it does not change the fact that Rihanna is a victim. As such she does not need to be further penalized for actions she did not request or deserve. To remove her name is to add to the brutality she has already suffered.

Is it just me? Am I too sensitive to the thought of promoting criminals to children? Is it too much to ask a business to have a moral backbone and ignore profits when the potential damage is only the future abilities and actions of the most innocent and easily influenced group in America. Our children.

I really can’t believe it’s just me.